Libethenite is a rare copper phosphate mineral that typically forms attractive olive-green prismatic crystals in the oxidation zones of copper mines. It is highly valued by collectors for its sharp, well-defined orthorhombic crystal habits and vibrant color. Often found as drusy coatings or small crystalline sprays, it is easily confused with the arsenic-bearing mineral olivenite.
Is this libethenite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch libethenite with a known reference. Libethenite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Libethenite leaves a pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Libethenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, olive green, blackish green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: short prismatic crystals, globular, reniform, or drusy aggregates.
Often confused with
Libethenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Libethenite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 3); streak differs, so Libethenite leaves pale green, Olivenite leaves olive-green; luster reads vitreous on Libethenite and adamantine on Olivenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Libethenite leaves pale green, Pseudomalachite leaves light green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Libethenite leaves pale green, Adamite leaves white.
Often found alongside libethenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with libethenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₂PO₄OH
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.9-4.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Short Prismatic Crystals, Globular, Reniform, Or Drusy Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for thumbnail to small cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find libethenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lubietova, Slovakia
- Katanga Province, DR Congo
- Cornwall, England
- Utah, USA
- Chile
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized copper deposits country, the host setting where libethenite typically forms. If you start seeing malachite, azurite, limonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a short prismatic crystals, globular, reniform, or drusy aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find libethenite on the map
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